The US government has announced that they are providing a $145 billion economic stimulus package to taxpayers. It is pretty exciting to think that our government is going to be sending most of us checks in the mail. I like that! This is being sent in hopes that it will be an “economic stimulus” package . Spend the money on something you want or need and give our lagging economy a needed "shot in the arm.” Although I am not convinced this will work, I certainly like the idea of putting funds into the hands of people. “Free” money is good. But I am wondering if it could be used for a greater stimulus?
There is an old saying that I have heard many times through my “brief” years. “Put your money where your mouth is.” I would like to change that a bit. I would like to encourage us to think in terms of “putting our money where we would like our hearts to be!” Jesus teaches; “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also (Luke 12:34).” Think of it! Most of us want our hearts more in tune with Christ and more alive spiritually. What if you could stimulate your heart through giving! I believe we can. It seems that this is one of the reasons Jesus teaches so much about money and possessions. Because he knows that money and possessions do affect our hearts spiritually, either for benefit or as a hindrance. Dare I say that faithful giving may prevent significant heart disease? Back to this economic stimulus package.
I am thinking that this gift of money from our government may have a greater value than merely being an economic stimulus package. What if the followers of Jesus Christ would take this money and use it as a way of directing or stimulating our hearts through the worship of giving? Moving this money from being an Economic Stimulus Package to a Spiritual Stimulus Package!
While I was in Ethiopia, it struck me that my wife and I will be receiving approximately $300 per child in our household and about $1,200 for us as a couple. The cost to sponsor a child through Compassion International is about $384.00 per year -- $32.00 per month (http://www.compassion.com/). What if we used a part of our economic stimulus package to affect the life of a child in the world? Think of the benefit to us and to the child. This got me thinking about this stimulus package even more. How can we use these monies to further the kingdom of God?
What about blessing your local church or a local church ministry? Our congregation is going into a building program in the next few months. We want to provide more seats for those who don’t know Jesus yet. We are also thinking of launching a new offsite worship venue so that we can bring the good news of Christ to more people. I am thinking that using a portion of the economic stimulus package to help launch our building fund or satellite worship venue, or even another area of ministry through our church, might be something worth praying about! Imagine what would happen if followers all around the U.S.A. would provide an influx of “over-and-above” gifts to their local churches or ministries to be used to help stimulate the spiritual lives of those around you. The options are as varied as our hearts. The point I am seeking to make is that we can just spend the money or use it for spiritual purposes. Let me tell you what I am praying about…
I have been thinking of getting a big screen television (it started as a 52”) since sometime before Christmas. I now have this free money coming and I am thinking: “Big screen television or sponsor another child?” I am struggling with “big screen television or helping HOPE, our church, extend the ministry of good news.
Think of the benefits to your life spiritually, the spiritual life of your family, if we all would sit down together with this money in hand and ask God: “Father, how can these monies be used as a Spiritual Stimulus Package? How would you like us to use this to impact Your kingdom or to do good in Your name?” Maybe we will find Him saying: “Go ahead treat yourself and give to this area of my kingdom.” I am not sure what the outcome would be for you or for me. I just think it will be good for us to be open to Him and ask the questions.
Your partner in the gospel,
Pastor Paul
P.S. If you give a gift as a result of the economic stimulus package may I encourage you to write on the check memo line: Spiritual Stimulus Package.
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